Straight-bar knitting machine provided with a lace drum attachment

ABSTRACT

In a straight-bar knitting machine of the type having a plurality of sections for simultaneously knitting a plurality of pieces of goods each section includes a lace drum attachment and a pair of narrowing fingers. The lace drum attachment operates lace points for producing a pattern on the piece of goods. The narrowing fingers operate narrowing points for fashioning the pieces of goods and, for this purpose, are movable in the axial direction of the lace drum. According to the present invention a pair of narrowing fingers of each section are so guided that they may approach each other to a short distance without interference with the lace drum attachment. In event of an interference of the lace points with the narrowing points, an alarm is sounded and/or the machine is stopped.

United States Patent Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee Priority STRAIGHT-BAR KNITTING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH A LACE DRUM ATTACHMENT SChhaJDr-whgib.

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Relerences Cfied UNITED STATES PATENTS ll/l892 Clnrkeetal. l0/I900 Boessneclt 2.035.960 3/1936 Heinitz 66/96 2,198,846 4/]940 Tessem 6 66/96 2,287,480 6/l942 Lambach. 66/96 2,748,583 6/1956 Loeper et al. 66/89 3,503,226 3/1970 Woodcock et al 66/96 Primary Examiner- Ronald Feldbaum Attorney-Shleainger, Fitzsimmons 8!. Shlesmger ABSTRACT: In a straight-bar knitting machine of the type having a plurality of sections for simultaneously knitting a pin rality of pieces of goods each section includes a lace drum attachment and a pair of narrowing fingers The lace drum at tachment operates lace points for producing a pattern on the piece of goods. The narrowing fingers operate narrowing points for fashioning the pieces of goods and. for this purpose. are movable in the axial direction of the lace drum According to the present invention a pair of narrowing fingers of each section are so guided that they may approach each other to a short distance without interference with the lace drum attachment. In event of an interference of the lace points with the narrowing points, an alarm is sounded and/or the machine is stopped.

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STRAIGHT-BAR KNITTING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH A LACE DRUM ATTACHMENT The present invention relates to a straight-bar knitting machine having a plurality of sections for simultaneously knitting a plurality of pieces of goods in which each section includes a lace drum attachment and a pair of narrowing fingers for fashioning the shape of the piece.

Straight-bar knitting machines of this type offer the advantage that both of the narrowing fingers and the lace drum attachment can be used independently of each other in one and the same loop transfer operation. The fashioning of the shape of the piece is ordinarily effected by the narrowing fingers transferring the loops through two needle spacings whereas the transfer of the loops by the lace drum attachment is effected through a distance of one needle spacing only.

In prior straight-bar knitting machines of this type the simultaneous use of the narrowing fingers and of the lace drum attachment is not possible unless the fashioning of the piece is effected outside of the range of the lace pattern because the lace drum attachment is located between the two narrowing fingers and, therefore, limits the minimum distance between the fingers.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved straight-bar knitting machine of the type described hereinabove in which this disadvantage is avoided and in which the two groups of transfer points fixed to the narrowing fingers are movable to positions in which they are closely adjacent to each other.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a straight-bar knitting machine of the type described hereinabove in which during the fashioning operation the two groups of transfer points fixed to the narrowing fingers can approach each other to a distance which is substantially shorter than the width of the drum of the lace drum attachment. This possibility offers the advantage, for instance, that a patterned piece of goods can be knitted as a component of a pullover having raglan sleeves.

Further objects of the invention will appear from a detailed description of two embodiments thereof following hereinafter. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention is in no way restricted or limited to such embodiments but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which two embodiments of the invention are represented,

FIG. I shows the front portion of a pullover knitted on a straight-bar knitting machine constructed in accordance with the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the loop transfer means of a section,

FIG. 3 represents a sectional view, the section being taken along the line III-Ill of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view. the section being taken along the line lVlV ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an elevation of a modified embodiment of the loop transfer means of a section and FIG. 6 represents the section taken along the line VlVI of FIG. 5.

The front face of a pullover illustrated in FIG. 1 is patterned along the lines It). The range of the pattern is indicated by a distance A. The margins 12 to which the sleeves are to be fastened by sewing approach each other to a distance B which is substantially shorter than the distance A. For the purpose of knitting the pattern, each section of the straight-bar knitting machine is provided with a lace drum attachment including a drum having a width equaling at least the distance A. The fashioning or narrowing operation must be effected along the margins l2 by a pair of narrowing fingers with which the loop transfer means of each section of the straight-bar knitting machine is equipped. These narrowing fingers must be able to approach each other to a minimum distance equaling B without interference with the lace drum attachment even through this attachment has the substantially larger width A. The object of the invention following from these requirements has been attained by the means described hereinafter.

In FIGS. 2 and 3 the lace drum 14 is shown which is mounted for rotation on its shaft 16. This shaft is rotatably and longitudinally movably mounted within the frame carrying the loop transfer means of each section. The mounting means required for this purpose are well known in the art and, therefore, are not shown in the drawing.

The drum l4 transports clips 18 which are only shown in part in FIG. 3. During stepwise rotation of the drum the clips operate on levers 20 pivotally mounted on a horizontal pivot 22, one such lever being provided for each needle spacing of the section. When each lever 20 is pivoted by engagement with a clip 18 in anticlockwise direction with reference to FIG. 3, the lower end 24 of the lever 20 engages a transfer or lace point 26 and moves the same from its resting position shown in FIG. 3 towards the right to an actuated position which corresponds to that assumed in FIG. 3 by a narrowing point which will be described hereinafter. The pivot 22 carrying the levers 20 is mounted on a horizontal bar 30 having its ends fixed to vertical frame plates 32 which are firmly clamped to the shaft 16. Due to its stepwise rotation the lace drum l4 transports the clips 18 disposed in accordance with the desired pattern into engagement with the levers 20 thereby actuating selected lace points 26 from their resting positions to the actuated positions.

A more detailed explanation of the structure and function of the lace drum attachment may be dispensed with because this is well known in the art.

Narrowing points 28 are provided for the purpose of fashioning or narrowing the piece of goods shown, for instance, in FIG. 1 along its margins 12. Each of two groups of these narrowing points 28 is mounted on a narrowing finger 34, each point being rigidly but exchangeably clamped to the narrowing finger 34 by a cover plate 36 attached to the finger 34 by screws shown in FIG. 2. The narrowing fingers 34 are mounted for movement parallel to the axis of the lace drum 14. For this purpose each of the pair of narrowing fingers 34 is carried by and fixed to a horizontal narrowing bar 38, or 40 respectively, which is lengthwise movably mounted and passes the lace drum attachment at a close distance therefrom as will appear from FIG. 3. For this purpose a bracket 44 carrying one of the narrowing fingers is fixed to the bar 38 and a bracket 42 carrying the other one of the narrowing fingers is fixed to the bar 40. If each narrowing finger 34 would be located directly below the bracket 42, or 44 respectively, carrying it, the fingers could not approach each other to a closer distance than that corresponding to the width of the lace drum attachment. In order to obtain the object of the invention, to wit the possibility of the narrowing fingers approaching each other to the short distance B in FIG. I, spacers are interposed between each narrowing finger 34 and the bracket 42 or 44 carrying it, each spacer being formed by an elongate member 46, or 48 respectively, extending parallel to the drum axis.

In the embodiment shown each elongated member is formed by a bar 46, or 48 respectively, attached to the bracket 44, or 42 respectively, by a connecting piece 50 shown in FIG. 4. As a result, the paths of movement of the narrowing fingers 34 are disposed outside of the location of the lace drum attachment and below thereof. These paths are practically coextensive with the entire width of the section. In this manner the possibility is attained that the two narrowing fingers may approach each other to a minimum distance.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 the lace drum attachment is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. l3. For this reason the elements of this lace drum attachment are provided with the same reference characters. The pair of narrowing fingers, however, are mounted by means differing from those described hereinabove. The narrowing bars 138 and 140 having the same function as the bars 38 and 40 are not mounted at a close distance therefrom at the left thereof with reference to FIG. 6 but are rather so supported by an auxiliary frame as to be located in operative position at a close distance from the lace drum [4 below the same. This auxiliary frame is mounted for pivotal movement on the frame carrying the loop transfer means, the pivot axis 62 extending parallel to the axis of the lace drum. For this purpose a rod 64 coaxially disposed with the axis 62 and fixed to the frame of the loop transfer means carries a pair of downwardly extending arms 60 on either side of the lace drum attachment, each arm being provided with a head 66 at its lower end, such head being provided with horizontally extending guides for slidably guiding the narrowing bars 138 and 140.

In order to secure the arms 60 in their operative positions, each head 60 is provided at its top with a recess adapted to engaged by a detent pin 68 which is retractably mounted in the frame carrying the loop transfer means. This detent pin secures the arm 60 in its operative position when engaging the recess of the head 66. When the operator withdraws the detent pins 68, he may swing the arms 60 in anticlockwise direction upwardly in order to gain free access to the lace points 26 of the lace drum attachment.

Each of the two narrowing bars 138, 140 carries one of the narrowing fingers 134. As shown in FIG. 6 the pair of narrowing bars 138, 140 are spaced such a distance from the lace drum attachment that the narrowing fingers 134 can not collide with the lace drum attachment and, therefore, can approach each other to close proximity.

As will appear from FIG. I, the pattern is so shaped as to be spaced a substantial distance from the margins 12. As a result, the lace drum 14 must select such lace points 26 only for operation as are located within the narrowing range. This is ensured by synchronization of the movement of the narrowing fingers 34, 36 or 134 respectively with the stepwise motion of the lace drum transporting the clips 18 up in accordance with the reduction of the decreasing pattern width.

In event the synchronization should break down or clips should be misplaced on the drum, a warning signal will be given and/or the machine will be stopped by the means described hereinafter:

The spacer 46, or 48 respectively, consists of an electrical insulating material. One terminal of a source voltage is connected with the narrowing finger 34 and the other terminal is connected with the frame carrying the loop transfer means. An alarm clock or other acoustical or optical warning device is included in the electric circuit. The operation is as follows: Should it happen because of a breakdown of the synchronization or of a misplacement of a clip that a lace point 26 of the lace drum attachment is moved into its operated position within the range occupied by a narrowing finger 34, or 134 respectively, the operated lace point 26 will contact the narrowing point 28 of the narrowing finger and will thus complete an electrical circuit in which the alarm device is operated and an alarm signal issued. Alternatively, the means for stopping the machine included in the electrical circuit are operated.

in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. and 6 an electrical insulating member 135 is interposed between the narrowing finger 134 and the narrowing bars 138 and 140. One of the terminals of a source of current is connected with the narrowing finger 134 and the other terminal with the frame of the machine. In this event too, in event of the breakdown of the synchronization a contact will occur between the lace point 26 of the lace drum attachment and the narrowing point 28 of the narrowing finger 134, this contact closing an electrical circuit causing a warning signal to be issued and/or the machine to be stopped.

From the above description it will appear that the present invention efficiently achieves the object above explained.

What 1 claim is:

1. In a straight-bar knitting machine of the type having a plurality of sections for simultaneously knitting a plurality of pieces of goods, the combination comprising lace drum attachments one in each of said sections, each of said attachments including a row of lace points movable between a resting position and an actuated position, a pair of narrowing fingers in each of said sections, a group of transfer points mounted on each of said fingers, and means for movably mounting each of said narrowing fingers for movement of said transfer points along a path parallel to the drum axis of said drum lace attachment and within a plane in which said lace points in said actuated position are located, the combined paths of said narrowing fingers of said pair being substantially coextensive with the entire width of the section in which said lace drum attachment and said pair of narrowing fingers are provided.

2. The combination claimed in claim I further comprising a pair of bars extending parallel to the drum axis of said lace drum attachment, each bar carrying one of said narrowing fingers, means for mounting said bar carrying one of said narrowing fingers, means for mounting said bars for longitudinal movement along a path adjacent to said lace drum attachment, a spacer disposed between and fixed to each of said bars and narrowing finger carried thereby, said spacer being formed by an elongate member extending parallel to said drum axis.

3. The combination claimed in claim 2 in which said bars are spaced from said lace drum attachment a distance preventing collision between said lace drum attachment with said narrowing fingers and with the transfer points mounted thereon.

4. The combination in claim 1 further comprising a stationary machine frame, a supporting bracket pivotally mounted thereon for pivotal movement about an axis extending parallel to said drum axis, and a pair of bars mounted on and guided by said supporting bracket for longitudinal movement parallel to said drum axis, each bar carrying one of said narrowing fingers.

5. The combination claimed in claim I in which said drum lace attachment includes needle-actuating elements and means for individually actuating said elements, said combination further comprising warning means responsive to the actuation of an actuating element of said lace drum attachment within the range of location of said group of transfer points. 

1. In a straight-bar knitting machine of the type having a plurality of sections for simultaneously knitting a plurality of pieces of goods, the combination comprising lace drum attachments one in each of said sections, each of said attachments including a row of lace points movable between a resting position and an actuated position, a pair of narrowing fingers in each of said sections, a group of transfer points mounted on each of said fingers, and means for movably mounting each of said narrowing fingers for movement of said transfer points along a path parallel to the drum axis of said drum lace attachment and within a plane in which said lace points in said actuated position are located, the combined paths of said narrowing fingers of said pair being substantially coextensive with the entire width of the section in which said lace drum attachment and said pair of narrowing fingers are provided.
 2. The combination claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pair of bars extending parallel to the drum axis of said lace drum attachment, each bar carrying one of said narrowing fingers, means for mounting said bar carrying one of said narrowing fingers, means for mounting said bars for longitudinal movement along a path adjacent to said lace drum attachment, a spacer disposed between and fixed to each of said bars and narrowing finger carried thereby, said spacer being formed by an elongate member extending parallel to said drum axis.
 3. The combination claimed in claim 2 in which said bars are spaced from said lace drum attachment a distance preventing collision between said lace drum attachment with said narrowing fingers and with the transfer points mounted thereon.
 4. The combination in claim 1 further comprising a stationary machine frame, a supporting bracket pivotally mounted thereon for pivotal movement about an axis extending parallel to said drum axis, and a pair of bars mounted on and guided by said supporting bracket for longitudinal movement parallel to said drum axis, each bar carrying one of said narrowing fingers.
 5. The combination claimed in claim 1 in which said drum lace attachment includes needle-actuating elements and means for individually actuating said elements, said combination further comprising warning means responsive to the actuation of an actuating element of said lace drum attachment within the range of location of said group of transfer points. 